anyone think ESPN is just looking for some hot story? Hell on sportscenter they couldn't give any proof of Brett retiring. The head coach never heard it and Mr Ed says he hasn't heard anything and afterall Brett told him first about the surgery.

He will be back. But at times you have to feel sorry for the guy. He gets ridiculed for talking and then when he don't say anything they nail him that way. He is in a no win situation.

We get (yet another) Brett Favre "tribute day", and it's on the Vikes fans "nickel"- so-to-speak---

They get to (most of 'em) freak out about it, speculate on what's going on, bitch, moan and whine---

Couldn't happen to a nicer bunch.

Brent will be a Viking this year, imo--

Hopefully Chilly and co. have to further kiss his ass in order for him to play, as I like that aspect, but I am not in the camp of Packer fans that want him gone in order to increase our chances to take the NFC North, etc.

I want to kick the Vikings asses with Brett Favre as their quarterback.

ALLEN PARK, Mich. -- You have my permission to be skeptical of Brett Favre's apparent intention to retire rather than play this season for the Minnesota Vikings. I know I am.

Favre deserves nothing but our skepticism, especially after announcing his retirement in March 2008. And July 2009. And, privately, several more times in between. Someday, it will be for real. But the only way we'll know that is if the season comes and goes without Favre in uniform. We're six months from that eventuality.

It's true, there might be more going on than we know. But this roller coaster is turning into a joke. I'm here at the Detroit Lions' training camp -- amazing, isn't it? -- and the first five Lions people I talked to all expressed the same reaction that you and I have.

As in, let's just wait a minute and see whether this really plays out the way it's being suggested it might.

Remember, Favre began texting Vikings players and coaches in July 2009 with the news that he would retire. He formally told coach Brad Childress the same thing on the eve of training camp, and within days he was texting Vikings players and asking them how camp was going.

By mid-August, he was on the practice field.

History can't always be our guide, and I'm sure some of you probably think I'm just in denial. Trust me, I'm not. You're not using your capacity as an intelligent human being if you don't have deep, deep reservations about the sincerity of Favre's mindset right now.

His status will be day-to-day until all 32 NFL teams don't want him to play for them. As long as there is one, just one, he remains a possibility to be in uniform.

Of course, we have to consider both sides of this. I'll be back shortly with some thoughts on where the Vikings, and the rest of the NFC North, will be if Favre indeed doesn't play this season. But, please, hold your breath on that one.

I find the timing of this leak highly suspicious. As someone else pointed out, as of today, Brett Favre is officially a holdout. It seems to me that giving word of retirement represents more a way to avoid the financial sanctions that would result from holding out than any serious decision to hang up the cleats.

I will say this, however: If Brett Favre is truly serious this time, he is nothing short of a dick for waiting until the eve of training camp to inform the Vikings of that fact. But then, what else is new?

He get's ridiculed because he says something to someone then doesn't say anything for a while then says just the opposite later. I'm sure at times he feels like he just can't go through another season but until he is sure he should not say anything about the subject except to his family.(wife and kids)

OK, the prevailing theory on this blog -- and, apparently, around the NFC North -- is that Brett Favre will put on a Minnesota Vikings jersey at some point this year. All of this is uncharted territory, of course. But as long as we're just talking among friends, let's address some of the early theories making the rounds:

"It's always about money"Comment: That's what David Canter, a well-known player agent, tweeted earlier today. Canter added: "He knows that Vikes are desperate. No doubt they'll sweeten the pot and he'll break the bank. Uncapped year. 20mil." Indeed, the Vikings wouldn't be an encumbered by any salary cap if they want to give Favre more than the $13 million he is scheduled to receive. We don't have any reason to think Favre simply wants more money, but he has more leverage than any player in the NFL right now. He also has an owner who never shuts off the money spigot when it comes to player salaries. Why not take advantage? Chances of reality: 50 percent.

The ankle is worse than he thoughtComment: When is the last time a quarterback threw with his foot? I just don't buy that as a legitimate reason why Favre wouldn't play this season. It might well be the reason Favre isn't in training camp now, but I can't see it as more than a secondary issue. Chances of reality: 30 percent

He's a drama queenComment: It's an interesting thought, especially when you consider the possibility of Favre eventually riding back into town as the savior of a team that struggled through the preseason or started the regular season, say, 1-2. Remember, the Vikings' bye week comes in Week 4. Perfect. Chances of reality: 60 percent.

Yet again I must take issue with this writer's minimizing of an ankle injury. He has clearly never experienced one. There is no way a quarterback could plant and drive off his foot with any power if there were a significant ankle problem.

Yeah, I can't imagine dropping back being pretty easy on a bum ankle. I think it's mostly about that. It may very well be bad now, but if that thing starts to heal next week, Favre will change his tune.

Reportedly, Favre sent texts to teammates saying, "This is it." Why does everyone assume that means he will retire? Those words are entirely ambiguous. One could just as easily interpret to mean, "Here we go -- let's get started!" Perhaps he was letting his teammates know he's about to make an appearance, not that he was calling it quits.

anyone think ESPN is just looking for some hot story? Hell on sportscenter they couldn't give any proof of Brett retiring. The head coach never heard it and Mr Ed says he hasn't heard anything and afterall Brett told him first about the surgery.

He will be back. But at times you have to feel sorry for the guy. He gets ridiculed for talking and then when he don't say anything they nail him that way. He is in a no win situation.

Spoken like a true Favre fan. "It's the media's fault!"

ESPN is Favre's bitch, and everybody knows it. Favre doesn't get ridiculed for talking unless he says something stupid or selfish, and he doesn't get "nailed" for not talking, period. He was getting a free ride from the folks in the media until this story came out. That's what he didn't like. It was the lack of attention.

It's hard to believe that ESPN made this story up out of whole cloth, as you imply. Favre has done stuff that's been a lot sillier than this. I like your use of the word "nailed," though. Favre fans never pass up a chance to use Christ imagery.

Reportedly, Favre sent texts to teammates saying, "This is it." Why does everyone assume that means he will retire? Those words are entirely ambiguous. One could just as easily interpret to mean, "Here we go -- let's get started!" Perhaps he was letting his teammates know he's about to make an appearance, not that he was calling it quits.

So this was all a big misunderstanding! Favre is going to report to camp immediately because he wants to get started right now! Let's see if your theory is right. How much do you want to bet on it?

I was raising an alternate possibility. The words, stripped from their context, don't seem to mean anything in particular. Perhaps that's exactly how he wanted it, since he knew full well they'd be leaked and speculated endlessly over.

If we could see the other texts he allegedly sent, I think a more full picture would emerge. Right now all we have are the interpretations of anonymous sources. I am always extremely suspicious of anonymous sources until verifiable, corroborating information emerges.

I was raising an alternate possibility. The words, stripped from their context, don't seem to mean anything in particular. Perhaps that's exactly how he wanted it, since he knew full well they'd be leaked and speculated endlessly over.

If we could see the other texts he allegedly sent, I think a more full picture would emerge. Right now all we have are the interpretations of anonymous sources. I am always extremely suspicious of anonymous sources until verifiable, corroborating information emerges.

You are correct, "This is it" can mean several things, that is why no one is basing the reported impending retirement off of that. Instead, the media is going off what sources are telling them, plus knowing the Viking brass had an impromptu meeting discussing Brett. Now, do they really KNOW? Who knows.

There's more than the 'this is it' text though.

I've even read that the Vikings were pressuring Brett into showing up for the first pre-season game and its said this is Brett's way of telling them they can't push him around and he'll just retire. And after last year with the owner and coach saying the door is closed on Brett, then weeks later, opening it up again ... Brett knows he can close the door and open it when he wants.

anyone think ESPN is just looking for some hot story? Hell on sportscenter they couldn't give any proof of Brett retiring. The head coach never heard it and Mr Ed says he hasn't heard anything and afterall Brett told him first about the surgery.

He will be back. But at times you have to feel sorry for the guy. He gets ridiculed for talking and then when he don't say anything they nail him that way. He is in a no win situation.

Spoken like a true Favre fan. "It's the media's fault!"

ESPN is Favre's bitch, and everybody knows it. Favre doesn't get ridiculed for talking unless he says something stupid or selfish, and he doesn't get "nailed" for not talking, period. He was getting a free ride from the folks in the media until this story came out. That's what he didn't like. It was the lack of attention.

It's hard to believe that ESPN made this story up out of whole cloth, as you imply. Favre has done stuff that's been a lot sillier than this. I like your use of the word "nailed," though. Favre fans never pass up a chance to use Christ imagery.

I was raising an alternate possibility. The words, stripped from their context, don't seem to mean anything in particular. Perhaps that's exactly how he wanted it, since he knew full well they'd be leaked and speculated endlessly over.

If we could see the other texts he allegedly sent, I think a more full picture would emerge. Right now all we have are the interpretations of anonymous sources. I am always extremely suspicious of anonymous sources until verifiable, corroborating information emerges.

It's good to be suspicious of what one hears from anonymous sources, but at this point, I think there is more reason to be suspicious of Favre than anyone else. That's why I think it's a pretty safe bet that, as Zero speculates, there was enough context around the "This is it" comments to assume that Favre had implied that he was going to retire.

But the fact that Favre has not communicated this to Childress or Vikings management, apparently, suggests that he may be looking for his teammates to beg him to come back. He may be looking for the same reaction from fans, as he surely knew that his comments would be leaked. That's exactly the kind of extra motivation that Favre has needed these past couple years to keep playing, and the lack of it from the Packers management in '08 was a big reason why he retired. If he does not get a strong response from his Vikings teammates this time around, he may actually hang it up. But I think he will get a strong response and he will come back.

Of course that is the logical assumption to make, but it raises the question of why weren't the other texts or conversations (the context to which I'm assuming you are referring), which would have clarified the intent of the bald text, also released? Why release only those three words which by themselves mean nothing?

As reports that Brett Favre will retire for a third time dominated the NFL, Steve Mariucci stepped forward with a message: Everybody just needs to calm down.

Mariucci, who coached Favre in Green Bay, said Tuesday that his former pupil isn't ready to call it quits and is trying to wait out a troublesome ankle that needed offseason surgery.

"So the question mark is, how fast can he be healthy?" Mariucci said on NFL Network's NFL Total Access. "He's trying. He's trying like crazy. He was working out in his yard today, he told me.

"He's aware of this media frenzy right now. He's not quite sure where it all came from. I mean, he spoke to some people. ... He may have mentioned to somebody that he's leaning that way, because his ankle is not perfect. But right now, he hasn't retired. He's still trying to get healthy. He doesn't know if he's going to be able to be healthy in time. That's the question mark right now."Is Favre done? Not so fast

Ex-mentor: Favre still undecided | Discuss Kirwan: Is money a motive behind 'retirement' leaks Wyche: Hard to believe this is it for Favre | Discuss

Video: Mariucci: 'Every just needs to calm down' How late do you wait for Favre decision? Vikings' plans to convince Favre to return Favre's best moments from 2009

Photos: Favre through the years All-time famous flip-floppers

Mariucci added that he doesn't believe even Favre knows what he'll do. Mariucci also said that Favre's ankle is improving, but "it's not where it needs to be yet."

"Right now, he told me, 'I'm trying to get my body healthy,' said Mariucci, who added that the quarterback has another week or so to see if his ankle is ready. "The Vikings haven't given him a timetable to be in camp at Mankato State -- they don't want him in the camp right now. They would prefer that he waited and stayed home to heal up even more and do what he did last year and show up at Eden Prairie, if he can."

The Vikings hope Favre can, despite reports from The Minneapolis Star Tribune and The Associated Press that said the quarterback was prepared to hang up his cleats for good. A team source also told NFL.com's Steve Wyche that Favre had informed the Vikings that he wasn't coming back for 2010.

However, the Biloxi Sun Herald, citing a family source, backed Mariucci's assertion in reporting that Favre hasn't made a decision.

The confusion over Favre's status flooded Vikings training camp, where tight end Visanthe Shiancoe revealed he heard the quarterback had started to contact teammates and team officials to say he will not return for a 20th NFL season.

"He told a couple guys on our team he's going to retire," Shiancoe said after Tuesday night's practice. "He hasn't told me yet. I'm going to check my phone right now, but it hasn't been said publicly yet, so I don't know what to believe."

Vikings coach Brad Childress said Favre hadn't told him directly that he plans to retire as of Tuesday morning. The coach wouldn't confirm Favre's status with the team, calling it a "fluid situation," and he was unavailable for comment after the night practice.

"I'm not a big hearsay person," Childress said. "I gotta hear it from the horse's mouth."

"I plead the fifth on everything," Vikings defensive end Jared Allen said when asked about Favre's status. "I love Brett and he reserves the right to do what he wants to do. We obviously love him as a teammate. We'd like to have him back. But until it's official, I'll believe it when I see it."

Fair enough. With Favre, nothing ever seems final. He told the Vikings last year that he wouldn't play, but he changed his mind and joined them immediately after they broke training camp. Childress even drove to the airport to pick up Favre for his 19th NFL season.

Camp this year ends on Aug. 12, and Favre can expect some calls from teammates urging him to return.

"I'm going to try to get him here every chance I get," Shiancoe said. "I'm going to try to send him texts or something."Favre retirement timelineMarch 4, 2008 -- Packers announce Favre's retirement

Star running back Adrian Peterson said he still hopes that Favre will hand him the ball during the Vikings' Sept. 9 season opener at New Orleans. Peterson said he exchanged text messages with Favre on Tuesday, but declined to give details.

"I'm still up in the air like you guys trying to figure out what's going to happen," Peterson said. "I'm sure he'll make the best decision for him."

This uncertainty is nothing new for the Vikings, who have spent the last two offseasons answering questions about Favre's future.

"It's always back and forth with Brett," said quarterback Tarvaris Jackson, who's in line to be the starter if Favre is gone. "It's his decision. He deserves the opportunity to decide when he's going to retire or not, whether he wants to retire or not. It's up to him. Right now, I'm just trying to focus on getting better."

Favre has considered retiring every summer since 2002. It led to an ugly parting with the Packers, who traded him to the New York Jets in 2008. After a so-so season in New York, he announced his retirement in early 2009 for the second time, then reconsidered and signed with the Vikings.

Favre had one of his best seasons in 2009, with career bests in completion percentage (68.4), passer rating (107.2) and fewest interceptions (7), while throwing for 33 TDs and 4,202 yards to lead the Vikings to an NFC North title. He hurt his left ankle during an NFC Championship Game loss to the Saints and had arthroscopic surgery in May.

Favre is under contract for $13 million this season, but only if he plays.

Nearly everyone has assumed that Favre will return, and he has done nothing to discourage that. He threw passes to high school students in Hattiesburg, Miss., for the second consecutive summer, joked about playing until he's 50 and said another season wouldn't worsen his already damaged ankle.

"It's like believing in Santa Claus. You get gifts, but you ain't seen Santa Claus," Barnett said. "We'll see what happens ... If he does retire, congratulations. It's a well-deserved retirement. But if he does come back, we'll be gunning for him the same way."

If Favre decides to retire, it will end one of the most storied careers in NFL history. A three-time league MVP (1995-97), Favre won the Super Bowl in 1997 with the Packers. His 11 Pro Bowl appearances are the most ever by a quarterback.

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Indeed, Favre holds most major NFL records for a quarterback, including career touchdowns (497), passing yards (69,329), wins (181) and seasons with at least 3,000 passing yards (18).

Of course, he also has thrown the most interceptions (317) and been sacked 503 times -- a long, long history of wear and tear.

Retirement also would mean that the last pass of Favre's career was an interception. Saints cornerback Tracy Porter picked off a forced throw from Favre with the Vikings in New Orleans territory at the end of regulation, preventing an attempt at a potential game-winning field goal. Favre watched helplessly from the sideline as Drew Brees drove the Saints for the winning field goal in overtime.

"I know when I leave the game, I'm going to miss it," Favre told The AP in 2007, when the annual summer rite of indecision was still novel. "I know that. I'm not going to sit here and say, when I leave, it's over and I felt like I've done everything there is to do."

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo, who grew up in Wisconsin as a Favre fan, said he was surprised the veteran might hang it up after playing so well last season.

"If it is (true), then we were lucky enough to watch an unbelievable talent and great guy," Romo said. "But it's better to go the year before than a year too late."

He was . . . huh? Doing what, pushups and situps? Doesn't a premier professional quarterback due to make in excess of $13 million this year belong in some high-end gym, instead of doing aerobics on his front lawn?

He was . . . huh? Doing what, pushups and situps? Doesn't a premier professional quarterback due to make in excess of $13 million this year belong in some high-end gym, instead of doing aerobics on his front lawn?

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